On Tuesday Feb. 23, the American Red Cross hosted a blood drive at the Church of St. Patrick of Edina across from Edina High School. Due to COVID restrictions, the event looked different than usual, but that didn’t stop EHS students from participating in a good cause.

The blood drive committee of the EHS student council worked with the American Red Cross and Church of St. Patrick of Edina to put on the event. Because the high school is not currently allowed to have visitors, the drive was hosted off-site across the street. This year it was open to the entire community, whereas in years past, the school blood drives are usually closed off for only EHS students and staff to donate.

COVID procedures were followed, allowing for a safe event. Surfaces were regularly wiped down, masks were required, and everyone got a temperature check as they entered. “I was a little nervous, but everyone was nice and they made me feel comfortable. It was nice knowing that I was helping, so it was just kind of fun,” junior and blood drive committee member Sarah Hogan said.    

Given the conditions, the highschool attendance at the event was lower than usual. Nevertheless, the blood donation goal was surpassed. This year the school set a goal to donate 56 pints of blood, and ended up giving 63 pints in total. The donated blood does not only go to a good cause, but creates educational opportunities for EHS students. A scholarship program is incorporated into the drive: the more blood donated at the school drives, the more money the American Red Cross gives towards scholarships for high school seniors. “It just went really well. I’m really happy and we like working with the Red Cross because they’re really easy to work with and [they] make it fun,” Hogan said.